Update On Volans

At the same time, I offer profound thanks to the inimitable Sam Lakhafor 10 wonderful years to date, with the last 4 in the Director seat. She and I have now worked together for a total of 13 years. She says she is unhooking to pursue wider interests, but there is no escape for the wicket as she will continue to sit on our Board as a Non-Executive Director. A case, perhaps, of the Hotel California Syndrome? You can check out, but you can never leave!

The Breakthrough Mindset: Making the Impossible Inevitable

I have devoured magazines like Wired and Fast Company more or less since they began publication. So am delighted to introduce the first in a series of Volans’ articles for Fast Company in which Richard Johnson and I spotlight five key traits of the Breakthrough Mindset.

We distil some of the lessons we have learned from dozens of interviews with pioneering business leaders and next generation innovators, also summarised in this accompanying video. This work is part of Project Breakthrough, the ongoing collaboration between Volans and the UN Global Compact. We thank the Global Compact and our essential partners at Atlas of the Future for their support.

Breakthrough Cities

As a UCL-trained city planner back in the day, I feel life has come full circle as Volans expands its scope to embrace the urban change agenda. In recent months, in close partnership with Innovate UK, we have been exploring how business model innovation can help solve complex urban challenges.

In Nottingham last November, we convened a group of SMEs and local government officials to explore new solutions for improving the city’s air quality. In Newcastle last month, we investigated challenges and opportunities linked to healthy ageing. The last in this series will be in London on Friday 9 March, where we explore ways to decarbonise the built environment.

Inverting the Carbon Vortex

Meanwhile, in my latest blog for the Harvard Business Review, I offer 4 ways business leaders can respond to the existential challenges posed by climate change. This year, with continuing support from Covestro, our work on Carbon Productivity enters a new phase. We aim to catalyse market drivers for a more radical (and productive) approach to reversing global warming.

Lighting 10 Candles

Do get in touch if you’re interested in learning more about any of the above. Meanwhile, we are pondering how best to celebrate Volans’ 10th birthday this year. Watch this space for details of how we intend to mark the occasion – and any suggestions always welcome!